Day Four: Crying Out to God

When you’re sad, are you stoic or do you cry? When you’re mad, do you rant or quietly seethe? What about happy news? Do you dance, or simply smile? Regardless of the ways you express emotion, we’ve all likely felt broken inside. You may even cry out to God like the Psalmists. No one hid their feelings from God in the Psalms. There is wailing despair, angry questioning, impatient ranting, exultant praise, endless gratitude, and everything in between. 

· Is there an emotion or topic you’re uncomfortable sharing with God?

King Hezekiah cried out to God when the Assyrians were camped outside Jerusalem’s walls and he received a threatening letter from the King of Assyria. He ran straight to the Temple, spread the letter before the altar, and expressed his fear to Yahweh. 

Later, Hezekiah became ill, and Isaiah relayed God’s message that he would die. Devastated and confused, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and cried out to God, reminding the Lord of his faithful service. Did God need to be reminded? No, but Hezekiah’s prayer preserves for future generations the transparency of a pure heart before God.

· Pause to consider: what things have you thought but never directed to God in prayer?

New Testament Crying Out

On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He went out to the Mount of Olives to pray—as was His usual practice—and then cried out to His Father. To the point of sweating blood. Three times He prayed the same prayer, pleading with the Father to take the cup of suffering but letting obedience find rest in His heart.

God answers our cries His way. When Hezekiah cried out, he rose from his sick bed three days later. Hezekiah died, however, fifteen years later. When Jesus cried out, He had to drink the cup of wrath His Father poured. Jesus died on a Roman cross. But in three days—the same as Hezekiah—Jesus rose and provided life after death for all who believe. 

Yahweh heard the cries of both Hezekiah and Jesus. In His all-knowing wisdom, He answered His children for their ultimate good and His eternal glory.

· Are you crying out today? Can you trust your Heavenly Father’s answer to be for your ultimate good and His eternal glory?

Fuel for the Soul:

· 2 Kings 19:1; 14-19

· Isaiah 38:1-6

· Luke 22:39-46

· Psalm 130